Standards for trampoline parks

Trampolines and trampoline parks offer a great way for children and adults to take part in physical activity while having a good time, so it’s no wonder that the parks, with wall-to-wall bouncing areas, have seen such a large growth in the UK since their introduction in 2014.

While millions of people have enjoyed the park safely, as with any activity where you are throwing yourself around, trampoline parks are high-risk environments, and it is impossible to remove that risk completely.

As with any activity that is new and grows quickly, it can be a challenge for the industry to keep up with this and disseminate good safety practice and knowledge learnt by the more established operators.

In an effort to address concerns regarding accidents and consistent standards, RoSPA and members of the UK sub-committee of the International Association of Trampoline Parks (IATP), as well as other organisations, drew up a British standard, which has now been released.

It offers guidance for the construction of a trampoline park, as well as day-to-day operating and maintenance requirements. It directly addresses some of those issues which have been raising concern, such as the heights of jump towers, and how to construct a foam pit to avoid contact with the floor.

The aim is to help the trampoline industry in the UK to minimise the risk to park users, while ensuring that they still have an enjoyable time.

Although they are voluntary standards, as of August parks will need to comply by the standards to join the IATP, so from that date we will be urging anyone visiting a trampoline park to look out for the IATP sticker on the door before using them.

David Walker, leisure safety manager